FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
FURNISHED PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
17 October 2006
BRITISH AIRWAYS Plc
(Registrant's Name)
Waterside HBA3,
PO Box 365
Harmondsworth UB7 0GB
United Kingdom
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule101(b)(1)
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a
Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security
holders.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7)
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a
Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant
foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the
jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally
organised (the registrant's "home country"), or under the rules of the home
country exchange on which the registrant's securities are traded, as long as the
report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has
not been distributed to the registrant's security holders, and, if discussing a
material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other
Commission filing on EDGAR.
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this
Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No X
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
CONTENTS
1. Competition for new aircraft
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.
BRITISH AIRWAYS Plc
By: /s/_________________________
Name: Alan Buchanan
Title:Company Secretary
Date 17 October 2006
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Description
1. Competition for new aircraft
COMPETITION FOR NEW LONGHAUL AIRCRAFT
British Airways has launched a competition for new longhaul aircraft by issuing
tender documents to aircraft and engine manufacturers.
The competition, called a request for proposal (RFP), is the first step in a
lengthy process before the airline makes a decision on fleet growth and
replacement for the next decade.
Airbus and Boeing, and engine manufacturers, Engine Alliance, General Electric
and Rolls Royce plus other key component suppliers, have been invited to bid.
British Airways' chief executive, Willie Walsh, said: "For the past four years,
we have grown capacity by using our aircraft more efficiently. In order to
continue to grow our longhaul business we now need additional longhaul aircraft.
We remain committed to generating an economic return for our shareholders.
"Launching the competition highlights the need for us to address our GBP2.1
billion pension deficit. It is a major blocker to growth and investment in our
business but I am confident we will resolve it.
"With a combination of firm orders and options, we are planning for both growth
and fleet replacement into the next decade. Environmental performance will be
one of the key criteria in our choice ensuring greater fuel efficiency, reduced
noise and emissions. The first aircraft to be replaced are the 20 Boeing 747s
and 14 Boeing 767s, which will be around 25 years old," he said.
Subject to the outcome of the RFP competition, orders are expected to be placed
during next year.
The aircraft being considered for the airline's longhaul fleet are the Airbus
A330, A350, A380 and Boeing 787, B777 and B747-8.
ends
October 17, 2006 104/LG/06
Notes to editors:
British Airways has 284 aircraft in its fleet of which 114 are longhaul
aircraft.
Its longhaul fleet comprises 57 Boeing 747-400s, 43 B777s (three B777-200A, 24
B777-200IGW and 16 B777-200ER) and 14 B767-300s.
Projected entry into service dates for the Airbus A380 is 2007, A350 XWB is
between 2012-2014 and B787 is 2008. There is no confirmed entry into service
date for the passenger version of the B747-800.
The current list prices for the aircraft being considered range from US$160
million to US$ 316 million per aircraft.
A new generation medium sized wide body aircraft such as the Airbus 350XWB or
B787 is likely to have at least 30 per cent lower fuel burn and 30 per cent
lower NOx emissions per seat than a B767.
An A380 or B747-8 is likely to have at least 17 per cent lower fuel burn per
seat and 21 per cent lower NOx than a B747-400.
The A380 and B747-8 are expected to be noticeably quieter on arrival than the
B747-400.
Certain information included in this statement is forward-looking and involves
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those expressed or implied by the forward looking statements.
Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, projections relating to
results of operations and financial conditions and the Company's plans and
objectives for future operations, including, without limitation, expected future
revenues, financing plans and expected expenditures and divestments. All
forward-looking statements in this report are based upon information known to
the Company on the date of this report. The Company undertakes no obligation to
publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.
It is not reasonably possible to itemise all of the many factors and specific
events that could cause the Company's forward looking statements to be incorrect
or that could otherwise have a material adverse effect on the future operations
or results of an airline operating in the global economy. Information on some
factors which could result in material difference to the results is available in
the Company's SEC filings, including, without limitation the Company's Report on
Form 20-F for the year ended March 2006.